Abstract
ADVANCED ceramic materials that can withstand high temperatures (over 1,500 °C) without degradation or oxidation are needed for applications such as structural parts for motor engines, gas turbines, catalytic heat exchangers and combustion systems1,2. Hard, oxidation-resistant ceramic composites and coatings are also in demand for use on aircraft and spacecraft. Silicon nitride (Si3N4) and silicon nitride/carbide (Si3N4 /SiC) composites are good candidates for such high-temperature applications2,3. Commercial Si3N4 parts can be used in oxidizing environments up to 1,200–1,300 °C (ref. 4), but are oxidized at still higher temperatures. Here we describe the synthesis of a covalent ceramic composite which is resistant to oxidation at temperatures up to 1,600 °C. The composite is formed from an amorphous silicon carbonitride, which crystallizes at high temperature into a composite of α-Si3N4 microcrystals and α-SiC nanocrystals. The oxidation resistance stems from the formation of a passivating surface layer of SiO2 a few micrometres thick.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Raj, R. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 76, 2147–2174 (1993).
Komeya, K. & Matsui, M. in Materials Science and Technology Vol. 11 (ed. Swain, M. V.) 517–565 (VCH, Weinheim, 1994).
Niihara, K. J. Ceram. Soc. Jap. 99, 974–982 (1991).
Hampshire, S. in Materials Science and Technology Vol. 11 (ed. Swain, M. V.) 119–171 (VCH, Weinheim, 1994).
Riedel, R., Passing, G., Schönfelder, H. & Brook, R. J. Nature 355, 714–716 (1992).
Friess, M., Bill, J., Aldinger, F., Szabo, D. V. & Riedel, R. in Silicon Nitride 93 (eds Hoffmann, M. J., Becher, P. F. & Petzow, G.) 95–99 (Trans Tech, Aedermannsdorf, 1994).
Nickel, K. G., Hoffmann, M. J., Greil, P. & Petzow, G. Adv. Ceram. Mater. 3, 557–562 (1988).
Schaeffer, H. A. thesis, Univ. Erlangen-Nürnberg (1980).
Porz, F. & Thümmler, F. J. Mater. Sci. 19, 1283–1295 (1984).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Riedel, R., Kleebe, HJ., Schönfelder, H. et al. A covalent micro/nano-composite resistant to high-temperature oxidation. Nature 374, 526–528 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/374526a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/374526a0
This article is cited by
-
A high compatibility SiOCN coating on stainless steel
Journal of Materials Science (2023)
-
Si-based polymer-derived ceramics for energy conversion and storage
Journal of Advanced Ceramics (2022)
-
Effect of zirconium on precursor chemistry, phase stability, and oxidation of polyvinylsilazane-derived SiCN ceramics
Journal of Materials Science (2022)
-
Impact of elevated temperature over different properties of CVD SiCN coating developed in Nitrogen gas atmosphere
Silicon (2022)
-
Formation of nanocrystalline graphite in polymer-derived SiCN by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis at a low temperature
Journal of Advanced Ceramics (2021)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.